Saving Money Archives - Chess Insurance

Winterize your Redmond, WA home: It may help you avoid a homeowners insurance claim

September 4, 2013 By Tosten

The weather is starting to change, we are entering those warm days of fall where the mornings are brisk and the afternoons are warm. The leaves are starting to turn orange and yellow here in Redmond, Washington, the kids are back in school and it will soon be time to start making plans for the holidays as winter is on its way. Before winter arrives, there is plenty of time to prep your home, both inside and out, for the coming cold months. Some simple winterization prep can save you from a costly homeowners insurance claim from frozen pipes or huge heating bills from drafty spots in your home.

Four areas to focus your winterization in Washington:

Water, water everywhere: Gutters can get jammed up with leaves, branches and other debris. Once the leaves have fallen from the trees, grab a ladder and gently remove the debris from the gutters. Then, rinse the bottoms of the gutter to ensure good flow of water for those winter showers. If your gutters become clogged, rainwater can accumulate around the foundation of your home and possibly seep into the foundation or basement, in which case, you should check for cracks in your foundation and fill them, pronto. A flooded basement can result in a costly homeowner’s insurance claim. Also, anytime you are using a ladder or plan to be on your roof, please let someone know or have someone working with you. An extra pair of hands and eyes can help prevent painful accidents.
Where is that draft coming from: The cold winter draft that is leaking in around your doors, windows and from your attic. Take a candle or piece of incense around your home on a windy day and go near doors, windows and attic to look for wind making its way into your home. If your attic has less than 12” of insulation, regardless of where in the country, you should consider adding more. It is an easy do-it-yourself project; any home improvement store should have the tools to help you complete that. It you have single-pane windows you can purchase an inexpensive window insulation kit to add another “pane” to the glass. This keeps the cold air trapped between another layer instead of entering your home. Other areas drafts can creep in are: recessed lighting, door frames and electrical outlets. A variety of caulks, gaskets and weather-stripping is available at any local hardware store.
Keep warm: Do your heating bills spike up during the winter? Aside from performing the aforementioned “draft tests” checking that heating equipment is in good repair may help keep that heating bill down. The furnace can run much more efficiently if it has a clean filter in it. Consider changing your filter once a month. They are inexpensive and pay for themselves in efficiency gains. Also think about checking out your duct insulation. Ducting in homes can become exposed from being bumped in the attic or crawlspace over time and there are huge efficiency losses from this. Ensure your ducts are covered with insulation and not exposed. Also, check for any leaks in connections while the system is running. Speaking of exposure, pipes that are exposed during the cold winter may freeze and explode if not properly insulated. Protect any exposed water pipes with insulation, if a pipe bursts in winter it can cause thousands of dollars in damages. It takes just a few minute to insulate your pipes, a step that can save a headache down the road.
Do you smell smoke: Turning on the fireplace is a winter tradition, whether it is a gas or natural wood fireplace. It can also be a hazard if your chimney is dirty. A cleaned chimney will remove creosote, a flammable byproduct of burning wood. Keep your home safe from chimney fires by hiring a professional chimney sweep to remove any build-up. Make sure you are prepared if a fire does break out with a fire extinguisher (it may qualify you for a discount on your homeowner’s insurance in Redmond, WA) and make sure you have fresh batteries in your smoke detectors. It is always a good idea to check your batteries in the smoke detectors a couple times per year. Count this as one.

While you are taking the time to prep your home for the upcoming winter, talk to your licensed insurance agent to ensure the homeowner’s insurance covers events like floods or fires that may occur during the winter months. Chess Insurance Agency in Redmond, Washington can guide you through your homeowner’s insurance policy and add additional coverages like flood insurance and earthquake insurance. Their years of insurance experience can save you a bundle, and they live right in your area, so know first-hand what your insurance needs might be. You can also visit their insurance website 24/7 to learn more about the other insurance products they offer.

Auto Insurance Premiums in Redmond, WA – What to know

May 8, 2013 By Tosten

You get a bill every month (or every six months depending on your preference) for your auto insurance premiums in Redmond, WA. Your policy details what is covered and what is not. What it may not detail is how the policy cost was determined. There are many factors that go into an individual auto policy price and likely, no two auto policies are the same since the factors largely depend on the insured driver.

Auto insurance premiums in Washington may be determined by:

Driving History: The most obvious factor is your driving history. Drivers that have accumulated many accidents and tickets typically pay more than those who don’t. Same goes for freshly minted drivers (of any age) and those who have not had insurance for an extended period of time regardless of the circumstance. While some of the factors cannot be mitigated, a few can. Staying alert and following the rules of the road can reduce the likelihood of accidents or tickets, thus potentially reducing the cost of your auto insurance premiums.
Age: Age is one of those factors that cannot be helped. The younger you are, they higher risk you are considered. While society considers you an adult between 18 and 21, the insurance industry considers you an adult at the age of 25 which is when insurance premiums tend to drop a bit for the matured driver. Another factor you can’t change? Your gender. In the great battle of the sexes, women take the lead on this one as they tend to be safer drivers as a whole. Women tend to take fewer risks when driving, giving females an advantage when it comes to insurance premiums as they tend to pay less than their male counterparts.
Location: Do you live in an area that is prone to car prowls or do you live a significant distance away from work? These are factors that will figure into your insurance premium. Statistically, the more you are on the road, the greater the likelihood that an accident may occur. So if you commute a long way to work (notice on your insurance application they ask you the distance from home to work?) you may incur a higher auto insurance premiums than someone who lives within a few miles of their workplace.
Make/Model: While that little red sports car is a tempting buy, you will likely end up paying more for your auto insurance than say a family sedan. Not that you should be discouraged from buying the sports car of your dreams, just make sure you talk to your insurance agent prior to your purchase so you can be aware of the potential rate change.
Type of Insurance Plan: Did you go for the “platinum” insurance package? You know the one: maximum coverage and a low deductible? A lower deductible means a higher upfront policy rate. Drivers who opt for the minimum coverages required by law in their state and a higher deductible may pay less for their policy. Make sure you ask your agent about your state’s required insurance coverages!
Credit : A final factor that determines car insurance premiums? A credit score. This is kind of a sensitive subject as there are some states like California that forbid the use of a credit information for an insurance policy. A credit score is used to assess risk, the thought being the higher the credit score the lower the risk, but that is not always the case. An overall driving history is the best indicator of risk, regardless of a credit score. You can check with your agent to see if your state allows the use of a credit score in determining insurance policies.

There you have it folks. There are so many factors that influence the cost of auto insurance premiums. Since most policies renew every six months, the cost fluctuates each time depending on your situation. Make sure you let your licensed insurance agent in Redmond, Washington know if you purchased a new car, had an accident or ticket, or if you changed your name (marriage, divorce, etc.). The local, independent agents at Chess Insurance can assist you with adding or amending an existing policy or setting you up with a new policy. Their years of insurance experience can save you a bundle. You can also visit their insurance website 24/7 to learn more about auto insurance or the other insurance products they offer like classic car or home insurance.

Saving Money Is Easier Than You Think – Insurance and Energy Tips in Redmond, WA

April 23, 2013 By Tosten

Follow these easy home insurance tips and you can save money in Redmond, WA

It seems these days that things just get more and more expensive. From the cost of groceries to a gallon of gasoline, folks may be pinching quite a few pennies to stay ahead. If you own a home or condo, just the maintenance and home insurance in Redmond, WA can feel like an overwhelming cost. But fear not, there are some simple things you can do around your dwelling to help reduce the cost of your home or condo insurance in Redmond, WA.

LOCATION: Before you even buy your home or condo, check out the location. Are you close to a fire or police station? Is the area prone to flooding or earthquakes (ahem, PNW)? Make sure you not only look at the convenience factors of your new home (grocery stores, freeway access) but make sure the area is also safe. Neighborhoods with high crime rates or those in a flood plain may cost more to insure as the likelihood of an expensive claim is greater than those neighborhoods without those factors.
SMOKE DETECTORS: Is your home safe and secure? Most home these days have smoke detectors, but check to make sure yours are in proper working order and have fresh batteries (we all hate that beeping!). It is also a good idea to keep a small fire extinguisher in your kitchen or garage in the event of small household fire; accidents happen and being prepared goes a long way. Make sure that your insurance agent knows that you have working smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher.
SECURITY SYSTEM: Is your home wired for a security system? While it may be a small monthly charge, having a security system could save you coin on your insurance premium. That being said, make sure your system is armed and those who need the code have it…otherwise the local police department, upon responding to the babysitter couldn’t shut off the alarm, will send a ticket upwards of $200 to you, the homeowner.
MAINTENANCE: You water the lawn and trim the hedges, but do you remember to check the water heater for leaks? Performing a little TLC on your home like keeping the roof in good repair, maintain the gutters, eliminating hazards like dead trees (also pruning tree branches that a perched above roofs, cars or decks) can eliminate the need for an insurance claim should the water heater flood the house or the roof begins to leak. Also, catching small issues early generally saves you money during the overall repair.
ENERGY UPGRADES: We want our cars to be energy efficient, consuming less gas so we can save more money, your home should be the same way. Switching out light bulbs to energy efficient LED bulbs and having certified energy efficient appliances can help save you money each month on your utility bills. Even turning your thermostat down a few degrees and grabbing a blanket to get warm can help you save. If you have been thinking about replacing your water heater, washer/dryer, range or refrigerator, check out Energystar.gov for Energy Star certified appliances and other helpful home efficiency ideas.

Be sure to tell your agent about any upgrades or improvements that you have made to your home!

Before purchasing a home or condo, it’s important to remember to talk to your licensed insurance agent in Redmond, WA to ensure the homeowners insurance is affordable. Before you conclude that you found the perfect property, get an expert opinion from Chess Insurance in Redmond, WA. Their years of insurance experience can save you a bundle, and they live right in your area, so know first-hand what your insurance needs might be such as earthquake insurance or flood insurance. You can also visit our insurance website 24/7 to learn more while you search for the perfect new home.

Protecting your Home in Redmond, WA from Mold & Mildew Damage

December 20, 2012 By Tosten

Many homeowners don’t think about mold and in all honesty, most will never have to deal with a large mold problem in their homes. However, mold is an issue in almost all parts of the United States, including Redmond, WA where it is often wet and mild temperatures, and prevention is key to keeping mold from damaging or even ruining your home.

Mold, if left undetected, can quickly spread from one area to another as it feeds on organic matter in your household. In order to prevent mold from spreading, it is key to identify it immediately and treat it. Most homeowners insurance policies will only pay to remove and/or repair a small amount of damage caused by mold or mildew.

While it may be impossible for a typical homeowner to identify mold problems in their home, it is recommended that you have a mold inspection completed annually to ensure that if mold begins growing, that it can be removed and the problem eliminated before it becomes a major problem.

There are several problem areas in homes where mold tends to grow. Be sure you check your:

Basements (walls, corners, any exposed wood)
Crawl spaces (is the ground wet? What about the floor joists? Pull back a bit of insulation and look), attics (look up in your attic at the underside of the roof)
Bathrooms (tile grout, behind the toilet, under the sink)
Kitchens (behind the dishwasher, under the sink and anywhere else that may get wet regularly)
and around your windows.

Mold Treatment

If you find mold growing in your home, the minor cases (usually less than the size of your hand) can be treated with bleach water and a scrub brush or abrasive sponge to remove it. Mold remediation is typically not covered by your standard homeowners insurance policy unless it is the direct result of another, covered loss such as a pipe bursting. Regardless, you need to talk to your licensed insurance agent for a more definitive answer as all homeowner’s insurance policies are different and what one company may cover, another may not.

Mold claims can be very expensive, typically exceeding the cost of a traditional homeowners insurance claim by 5 times. If you suspect mold may be in your household (a damp smell in the air) contact a specialist immediately. Not only can mold be bad for your home, it can have serious effects on your health resulting in asthma and more.

Thinking about hiring a contractor from a classified ad? Read this first.

November 6, 2012 By Tosten

Use Caution and Common Sense When Hiring off of Craigslist or other Free Classified Ads

It is so tempting… a contractor who will perform a landscaping job for ½ of what other quotes were and to think… you found him on Craigslist! Certainly Craigslist and other free classified websites have become a terrific resource for used goods as well as handyman services. However, there are stories of liability claim scams across the country that have homeowner’s getting burned. To put it simply, you’re taking a chance when you hire a non-reputable contractor to do work on your home, regardless of where you found him. So, we’ve put together a few items to help you avoid the headache of an “injured” contractor on your property which results in a liability claim against your homeowner’s policy.

Research and ask question. If you find a contractor or other service related worker on Craigslist or other sites, ask them if they have a website or if there is someone who wouldn’t mind talking to them about their skill. It’s okay to ask for references. Most small businesses survive off of word-of-mouth advertising, so don’t be afraid to ask for a couple.
Utilize the internet further. Go to Google and type in: “Contractor License Lookup.” This should produce your states .gov resource and you can see if the contract you’re hiring is licensed or not. It will also show if their license is expired and when it expired.
Documentation: Ask the contractor for a copy of their license as well as documentation of their insurance and bond. Note: Check the dates on the license as well as the insurance to ensure they’re currently in force or active.
Ask more questions: Not only is it important to protect your insurance from a scam, but ensure your pocketbook doesn’t get taken for a ride too. Ask questions like, “Is this an estimate or a final bid?” “Does this estimate include parts and labor?” The more questions you ask, the better you will feel and the more the contractor will understand that you’re educated on this process.

It isn’t just the answers to the questions above that will help you decide on a potential contractor, but how they answer them. If they aren’t forthcoming about certain items or aren’t willing to give you references, it is likely not a good idea to hire them. If they can’t communicate with you now about things, how difficult would it be if you have issues with them after the work has started? Be clear from the beginning on your expectations and always remember to call your insurance agent for advice before a home renovation begins.

Can you REALLY save money on car insurance?

October 3, 2012 By Tosten

“Switch now and save!” “15 minutes can save you 15 percent!”

You’re heard the countless commercials about saving money on car insurance in Redmond, WA. So, we decided it would be helpful to see where all of these discounts come from and how you can save money by buying from an independent insurance agency in Redmond, WA – Chess Insurance!

Safe Drivers Discount: Safe Drivers cost less because they’re safe and the risk to the insurance company is less. With most companies, safe drivers can pay up to 45% less on insurance premiums over their not-so-safe counterparts!
Advance Shopping/Advance Quoting Discount: You don’t have to wait until your insurance expires to get a renewal quote or to move companies. In fact, if you shop in advance, many companies will give you a discount as it shows you’re responsible and likely to pay your bills on time versus waiting until right before renewal to start shopping. This can save you upwards of 10% with some companies.
Disappearing Deductibles: While not a discount on the front end, certainly a way you would save money. Stay with the same company long enough and with some products, you deductibles will reduce each year until they are gone. This discount will only apply if you don’t have an accident. When you do, the deductibles start over and will again, start to disappear.
Good Student Discounts: Save up to 5% typically on this discount for students who maintain a 3.0 GPA and are under the age of 25.
EFT and Paid in Full Discounts: Save big, up to 10% by paying with recurring EFT or by paying your premium in full.
Prompt Payer Discount: Pay your premium on time for one year and you’ll receive a discount at renewal.
Safety Course (Motorcycle) Discount: Complete a safety course and receive a discount when you provide your certificate.
Multi-policy Discount: Save by bundling your auto insurance and home insurance with the same carrier. This discount often applies to other products as well such as auto and motorcycle. The discounts range from carrier to carrier, but are typically in the 10% off each product range.
Anti-Theft Devices: Having an anti-theft recovery device such as LoJack can save you up to 10% off of comprehensive premiums.
Previous Limits: Having your previous liability limits higher will actually give you a better “tier” with certain companies. For instance, if you have 25/50 liability previously you will often pay a higher premium than someone who has 100/300 liability previously. The companies consider this as a risk factor when taking on a new client.
Multi-car Discounts: If you have multiple cars in the same household, you can earn a discount on your insurance premium. These discounts vary greatly from carrier to carrier as well as state to state.
Snapshot Discount: Progressive has introduced a device called Snapshot that takes a look at your driving habits when installed in your vehicle. You can save upwards of 25% by installing this device in your vehicle.
Homeowner’s Discount: Receive a discount on your car insurance simply by owning your house, condo or mobile home.
Original Owner Discount (boat & RV): If you’re the original owner of a boat, you are eligible for a discount with some carriers.

There are even more ways to save on auto insurance in Redmond, but these hit the high notes. Be sure to talk to your local independent insurance agent in Redmond – Chess Insurance. They have the ability to shop you though several carriers at one time and can compare rates side by side. Call Chess today at: 425-392-1588